{"product_id":"michael-mondavi-family-estate-animo-heritage-sauvignon-blanc-2021-napa-valley-california-jd-93-wa-92","title":"Michael Mondavi Family Estate Animo Heritage Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (Napa Valley, California) - [JD 93] [TWI 93] [WA 92]","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Wine: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnimo is the Italian word for \"soul.\" In the family's experience, only certain vineyards possess this indescribable spirit that enables the creation of exceptional wines. The family selected the vineyards for Animo wines for their quality attributes and profound soul\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTasting Notes:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThe 2021 Animo Heritage Sauvignon Blanc combines approachable richness with age-worthy complexity. Its golden chartreuse hue sparkles in the glass. The bouquet offers enticing aromas of fresh peach, nectarine, and vanilla, highlighted by floral notes of honeysuckle and acacia. On the palate, it is lively and refreshing, with a firm structure and a broad mouthfeel, featuring notes of key lime and honeycomb on the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 2021 vintage will be remembered for low yields with intensely-flavored, small-sized berries and a smooth and uneventful harvest season. The season started off with very little rain, leading to the 2nd year of drought conditions in Napa Valley, Harvest began early with white wine grapes picked on July 30th and red wine grapes beginning on August 31. While concerning in the long term, the drought of 2021 resulted in a more natural load on the vines, requiring less pruning and dropping of fruit. The resulting grapes are packed full of flavor. Winemakers across the valley are excited about the prospects of the 2021s and it is likely the smaller yields per vine and smaller berry size will result in another amazing vintage from Napa Valley.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWinemaking Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFermentation commenced in temperature-controlled micro stainless-steel tanks until sugar conversion was half complete. From there, the must was transferred to barrel with 10% of the final blend fermented and aged in new French oak and the balance held in 1- to 2-year-old neutral French oak barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe genesis of great wines is great vineyards. Oso Vineyard, located between Sugarloaf Mountain and Howell Mountain in the great Napa Valley, is truly a special labor of love. In 2004, this spot was planted with cuttings from one of the best-known rootstocks of Sauvignon Blanc with origins tracing to the esteemed Château d'Yquem and which first made its way to California via Charles Wetmore, renowned wine pioneer of the 1880s. Ten years after planting and using the same trellising methods from the 19th century, we made our first vintage of Sauvignon Blanc. Since then, the Heritage Block has delivered beautiful Sauvignon Blanc, vintage after vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRatings \u0026amp; Reviews\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Impeccably made, the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Animo Heritage reveals honeyed flowers, lemon curd, stone fruits, and toasted spice notes. Medium-bodied and concentrated on the palate, it shows remarkable purity and a beautiful overall character. This 100% Sauvignon Blanc will drink nicely for 3-4 years.\" (Mar 2025)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e93 Points - The Wine Independent:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The single-varietal 2021 Animo Heritage Sauvignon Blanc prances out with energetic scents of lime blossom, lemon curd, and grapefruit leading to wafts of wild sage and Granny Smith apples. The medium-bodied palate is elegantly styled and savory, with well-knit freshness and a soft-spoken finish.\" – LPB (Dec 2023)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e92 Points - Wine Advocate:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The 2021 Animo Heritage Sauvignon Blanc features honeyed citrus and grilled limes, plus some softer fruit notes of pear and melon. Medium to full-bodied, it's round and generous on the mid-palate, then crisps up on the finish, finishing with a grapefruity flourish.\" - Joe Czerwinski (Jan 2024)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BREAKTHRU","offers":[{"title":"750 mL","offer_id":52718786609517,"sku":null,"price":69.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0481\/8940\/7391\/files\/animo-sauvignon-blanc-nv-bottle-new-scaled.jpg?v=1762990417","url":"https:\/\/artisan.wine\/products\/michael-mondavi-family-estate-animo-heritage-sauvignon-blanc-2021-napa-valley-california-jd-93-wa-92","provider":"Artisan W\u0026S","version":"1.0","type":"link"}